Ranking Patriots free agents ahead of NFL legal tampering period
· Yahoo Sports
Before the NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon on Monday, Mar. 9, the New England Patriots will have to decide on which in-house free agents the team wishes to retain, from key starters in Super Bowl LX to potential practice squad contributors.
Entering free agency, which officially opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Mar. 11, head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff are estimated by cap expert Miguel Benzan to have $61.6 million in 2026 cap space.
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Below is a prioritized list of which home-grown free agents the Patriots should be allocating their resources toward, in addition to acquiring talent outside of the organization.
No. 1 priority
DT Khyiris Tonga (UFA)
Tonga, originally signed to a one-year, $2.1 million contract last offseason, performed well above his pay grade in 2025, serving as New England’s nose tackle. The 6-foot-2, 335-pound defensive lineman played a crucial role on early downs, plugging gaps and disrupting runs before the opposing ballcarrier could find a lane. Tonga also showcased his versatility, occasionally subbing in on offense as a fullback in short-to-gain situations.
Despite Tonga’s resurgence with the Patriots, the 29-year-old isn’t a guarantee to return, according to MassLive; both parties are interested in a reunion, but a near extension before the playoffs never materialized. Tonga played some of his best football in the playoffs after returning from an ankle injury, recording his first sack of the season, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits.
Important, but replaceable
ED K’Lavon Chaisson (UFA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (UFA), OT Vederian Lowe (UFA)
Similar to Tonga, Chaisson and Hawkins served significant roles during New England’s Super Bowl run. Hawkins played all but a handful of the team’s defensive snaps in the playoffs while Chaisson was the primary pass rusher. Both veterans are poised to earn the largest payouts of their careers.
However, the 2026 free agency market possesses substantial pass rush and safety talent. In other words, Vrabel and company shouldn’t feel required to overpay for either player. Chaisson’s 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits, and the University of California safety tandem of Hawkins and Craig Woodson proved effective. Still, other prominent names like Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe and Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh are unrestricted free agents.
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Additionally, Lowe proved to be an effective plug-in left tackle with Will Campbell nursing a knee injury during the latter half of the regular season. The 26-year-old was a “popular name” at the NFL Combine, according to MassLive.
Can add quality depth
LB Jack Gibbens (RFA), OT Thayer Munford Jr. (UFA)
Both Gibbens and Munford Jr. contributed on the field in 2025. Gibbens performed as a reliable backup linebacker and has a history with Vrabel in Tennessee that dates back to 2022. The 27-year-old played roughly 47% of the defensive snaps last season, suiting up for every game. Munford Jr. also played a notable role as a tackle-eligible tight end (sixth offensive lineman) and performed well in doing so.
Each player can make New England’s roster next season, but neither should necessarily be a priority to retain.
Training camp depth options
DT Jaquelin Roy (RFA), FB/TE Jack Westover (ERFA)
Although Westover came into the NFL as a tight end, the Patriots deployed the 26-year-old as a fullback during the 2025 season, where he participated in that role through the Super Bowl. Westover will compete for the starting job with 2025 undrafted free agent Brock Lampe, who spent his rookie season on season-ending injured reserve — unless New England decides to search outside the organization for an upgrade.
Roy dealt with an off-season injury last summer that resulted in being placed on season-ending IR. He slowly came into his own after the Patriots signed the 25-year-old early in the 2024 season, recording his first two career sacks.
Granted, these two would likely have to fight their way onto the final roster, but they keep position battles and training camp competitive and could also carve out roles on the practice squad.
Non-essential pieces
RB Deneric Prince (ERFA), OT Yasir Durant (RFA)
Both Prince and Durant had their 2025 seasons cut short due to injury during training camp. Prince was waived in August with an injury designation but reverted to New England’s season-ending injured reserve after going unclaimed on waivers. Durant, whom the Patriots acquired via a trade in 2021, was placed on season-ending IR at the end of July last year. He will not be tendered as a restricted free agent.
Unlikely to return
TE Austin Hooper (UFA), CB Alex Austin (RFA), DT Isaiah Iton (ERFA)
Hooper had a productive first year with the Patriots in 2024, hauling in 476 yards and three touchdowns. The 31-year-old was a valuable complement to Hunter Henry and a target Drake Maye relied on during his rookie season. Despite that previous connection, however, his age seems to be catching up to him. The veteran totaled three receptions across all four playoff games in 2025.
Austin showed promise during the latter half of 2023, most notably securing his first career interception against the team that released him several months earlier at the time: the Buffalo Bills. The cornerback’s 2024 season was tainted by an ankle injury, sidelining Austin for eight games.
Despite the previous flashes, New England opted not to tender the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Austin earned a role as the top rotational cornerback behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis to begin the 2025 season; however, he was quickly replaced by Charles Woods and strictly participated on special teams after Week Four. The 24-year-old then dealt with another injury (wrist) later in the season and was placed on short-term IR.
Iton made a push as a dark-horse candidate to make the final roster in 2025, but the undrafted product out of Rutgers suffered a season-ending hip injury in a pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings. He also will not be tendered.